Jaime Freeman

Wasting food also wastes water, energy, and resources. I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.

Dishwashers can save water — if used wisely. I will only run the dishwasher when it’s full and skip the pre-rinse to reduce water and energy use. If I don't have a dishwasher, I will turn off the tap as often as possible while washing dishes.

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend 60 minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 30 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

Our food choices can help protect forests and wildlife. I will spend 30 minutes learning how to choose foods that are grown in ways that protect forests, such as avoiding products linked to deforestation and seeking certified sustainable options like shade-grown coffee or palm oil-free products.

Reducing energy use helps protect the air and climate. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy and reduce pollution.

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.

Small changes can make a big difference for health and sustainability. Using what I learned from auditing ingredients in the products I use, I will replace 3 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

Regular health check-ups help prevent problems before they start. I will schedule or attend a medical, dental, or mental health check-up to take care of my well-being.

Environmental issues often impact marginalized communities the most. I will spend 15 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 20 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.